Part II

~ Journey into the Darkness ~

I enter the cantina, finding it dimly lit and the air filled with a layer of smoke. My hood pulled forward over my head, I make my way toward the bar where the barkeep is busy making a round of drinks.

My senses tell me much – there is a Rodian and a pair of humanoids sitting together in a nearby corner booth, watching me with great interest and scrutiny. They see a black robed, hooded figure enter and make "his" way
toward the cantina bar and order a drink in an inaudible voice.

With my order, I turn to look over my shoulder to glance over the various alien and humanoid patrons of the establishment, utilizing the Force to give me the ire of mystery and danger. And my senses tell me that many eyes are upon me, watching me – weary.

The barkeep hands me my drink and I place the due upon the counter before me, and I take a slow deep slip of the drink that had been one of my father's favorite – as my mother had told me once.

I suddenly sense tension in the air and I hear male voices rise in tone, filled with anger and hatred, then I hear the humanoid men begin to push one another and the larger of the two knocks the smaller onto a nearby table and instantly all hell breaks loose.

I roll my eyes and shake my head as I take another sip of my drink, hearing the brawl beginning to spread. Sensing someone stumbling backward toward me, I instantly move out of the way in one swift movement, and within moments, the human male lands against the bar against his back no more thantwo feet to my right and collapses to the floor unconscious.

Quickly, sensing the approach of a tall large humanoid male from behind, I swallow the remainder of my drink and setting the cup down upon the bar quietly, I lower my arms to my sides, I turn and prepare to encounter my
opponent.

Seeing me turn about toward him, the humanoid male stops just three paces before me, looking upon the shorter, hooded dark figure standing before him. My hood's shadow's hides my face and I keep my head lowered slightly to keep hidden within it.

I can feel the energies of the Darkside surround me, filling me and giving me its strength. I can feel my eyes glow with intensity as I feel almost every muscle in my body prepare for the possible battle at hand.

The humanoid takes a step closer and I can sense and hear his intentions – he wishes to fight me – even despite my size in contrary to his, and slowly, my eyes closed, I raise my head and allow the dim light of the cantina to fall upon my face. And letting the humanoid male finally see me, I slowly open my eyes and I look upon his with all my intensity.

I let a slight grin appear just at the corner of my lips as I see the surprise upon his face – finding my opponent to be one large and nasty looking Marauder.

A true test of my skills and abilities.

The Marauder does not know what to make of me – for he sees a humanoid with intense glowing golden yellow and red eyes…and black and blood red tribal like tattooing upon my "his" entire face.

I can sense that he is unsure of my gender, for my figure is hidden under the hooded ankle length black robe that I wear. Not even my black boots tell him of my gender – nothing except my face. But he is still unsure and it
brings me ever more pleasure for he cannot read me, though as he stands before me, he sizes me up and finds me an easy foe – if he only knew.

Suddenly he charges at me, but I step out of his way and he runs into the bar behind me. In fury, he turns about and finds me standing behind him in a deceivingly plain stance – shoulders slightly forward, back straight, arms
at my sides, feet slightly parted.

With a loud growl, the Marauder clenches his fists and once again, he charges at me. And in one swift movement, I turn and lift my right foot into the air and instantly my heel impacts his face and it sends him stumbling backward a few steps.

He shakes off the pain and impact and looks at me with rage, teeth bared at me, and swiftly he has his hands at his sides, taking his blasters into his hands and raising them to me, he fires of a flurry of shots at me.

The blots of energy fly at me but suddenly in a blink of an eye, I deflect them back at him – in one swift movement, I grasped hold of my weapon hidden under the folds of my robe and holding it out before me, the brilliant crimson blade emerges and sends the bolts flying back.

And the bolts hit the Marauder in the chest and stomach, killing him instantly, his lifeless body collapsing to the floor with a loud thud.

All is silent. All that can be heard is the distinct hum of my lightsaber and the almost inaudible gasps as all look upon me.

Quickly I deactivate my sabre and place it back upon its hook upon my right hip and with a glance about me, I move toward the bar, toss an appropriate sum for any damage to the barkeep without a word and I make my
way toward the main entrance of the cantina.

Slipping into the protection of the shadows of the night, I veil myself in the Darkside as I make my way to my ship…my father's ship…the Scimitar.